During the post-tea session of Day 2 of the ongoing second Ashes Test at Lord’s, Australia‘s preeminent spinner, Nathan Lyon, was injured while chasing a ball towards the Grand Stand boundary. Nathan Lyon, who is participating in his 100th consecutive Test match, sat outside the boundary line while the physiotherapist examined him and appeared to be in excruciating agony.
Former Australian team physician Peter Brukner stated that Lyon’s calf injury could be severe enough to keep the off-spinner out of the remainder of the Ashes. This would also require the World Test Champions to finish the Lord’s Test without a frontline spinner.
“I’d say he’s essentially out of the Ashes. I do not believe we will see him again in this season. It is a catastrophe. It was evidently quite severe based on the severity of his disability right away. I believe it to be a fairly serious injury,” the former Australian team medic told Sydney Morning Herald.
“It is most likely a significant muscle injury of the gastrocnemius, which is the large calf muscle. This will result in a considerable quantity of bleeding,” he added.
How does this possible loss affect Australia’s bowling strategies?
Nathan Lyon is one of the most effective spin bowlers in contemporary cricket.
His capacity to take wickets in a variety of conditions distinguishes him from the majority of other spinners. On Day 2, the 35-year-old bowled 13 overs and dismissed Zak Crawley. On Day 2, England achieved runs at a run rate of 4.55. Lyon, on the other hand, conceded runs at a rate of 2.70 per game.
Consequently, it is evident that Lyon’s impact is irreplaceable for Australia during a Test match. However, Pat Cummins will have to utilise the resources available to him to give the English batsmen a run for their money.
Travis Head contributed five overs of off-spin while Steve Smith contributed one over of leg-spin. Australia are more fortunate than England in that they have more part-time spin bowling options. Even if the Australian part-timers do not take as many wickets as their English counterpart Joe Root, they must at least stem the flow of runs to allow Cummins and the pacers time to recover.
Cameron Green will need to deliver a few more overs than he would have had Lyon not been injured. England will commence Day 2 at 278/4, 138 runs behind Australia’s first innings total.
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